FARMINGTON – Sexual Assault Victims Emergency Services (SAVES) will again offer support groups to community members. Two groups will be offered starting this month. There is no fee for participation.

The first is a new group for men who have experienced sexual, physical or emotional violence. The violence may have occurred during childhood, adolescence or as an adult.

The group will begin on Sept. 19 and will meet weekly from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays for 12 weeks. The purpose is to help the members make connections between the abuse they have experienced in the past and the emotional and interpersonal difficulties they are having now.

For most men, recovery from the trauma of violence is difficult because they have had little help in learning how to talk about feelings and little opportunity to work on the issues in a safe place.

The group will be facilitated by Michael Burd. Those interested in joining the group should call SAVES at 778-9522 to register. Collect calls are accepted.

The second group is supported by a STOP Grant from the Maine Justice Assistance Council. The grant provides funds to offer support groups for women survivors of sexual violence and domestic violence.

This group will use the Trauma Recovery and Empowerment Model (TREM), which encourages members to explore recovery and healing from the effects of abuse or trauma through empowerment.

The group will meet beginning on Sept. 25, and will gather from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays. To register or for more information, interested women may call SAVES at 778-9522 or the Abused Women’s Advocacy Program at 778-6107.

The SAVES crisis and support hotline number is 1-800-871-7741. SAVES is a United Way agency.